The Oakdale and Penmaen Community Partnership is celebrating after The Roger Lewis Woodland Garden, which the partnership owns and maintains, has yet again been recognised as one of the country’s best green spaces by retaining its prestigious Green Pennant Award.
Green Pennant Awards (part of the Green Flag Award scheme.) recognise and reward the best community run parks in the country and The Roger Lewis Woodland Garden yet again stood out after impressing the judges with excellent facilities including well managed green space, signage and amenities as well as the dedication of the local people.
Since winning the award last year a number of improvements have been made to the Woodlands, including the installation of further dog bins, the removal of dangerous overhanging branches. The partnership also worked with Groundwork Caerphilly and Oakdale Comprehensive Schools pupils to plant trees and wildflowers in the area to further enhance the woodland.
This year has seen the highest number of awards handed out – a record 1200 Green Flags and Green Pennants across the UK compared to 1,013 in 2009. Green Pennants are awarded to parks or green spaces managed by a community or voluntary group.
Only green spaces that are free to enter and open to the public are eligible to win an award through the scheme, which is run by environmental charities Keep Britain Tidy, BTCV and GreenSpace.
Paul Todd, Manager, Green Flag Award Scheme, said “It’s a remarkable achievement that so many parks have successfully reached Green Flag and Pennant Award status this year. The staff and community groups running the parks work very hard throughout the year to ensure their facilities are maintained to a high standard and enjoyed by the entire community.
“As the recession bites and people look closer to home to enjoy the outdoors, the provision of high-quality, free open spaces is of particular importance.”
Roger Evans (Vice Chair – The Oakdale and Penmaen Community Partnership) said, “We are delighted to have kept our Green Pennant award for the second year. It just shows what a small group of dedicated volunteers can do to improve their community. More importantly, as the woodland has re-grown, it is being increasingly used by local residents who value the amenity it provides.”
